The right body language is crucial to good public speaking

In any presentation, up to 90% of one's message is non-verbal. The audience sees the body language, the eye and hand movements. More than half of the impact as a speaker depends upon the body language.

Body language comprises gesture, stance, and facial expression. These are all the more important when all eyes of an audience are upon them. When presenting, strong, positive body language becomes an essential tool in helping one build credibility, express their emotions, and connect with their listeners. It also helps listeners focus more intently on them and what they are saying.

How can one use movement and gestures to be effective in their presentation? One should begin in a neutral position with hands at their sides. That keeps one open to their audience, so influence flows freely in both directions. Use hand movements and make them strong. Do these things and one upper body movement will support and amplify what one says. If one is stiff or not moving, if one doesn't move their hands or make eye contact with the audience, then they are missing an opportunity to connect with the audience.

They should be sure to keep eye contact during the speech. Not look down, nor look up at the ceiling. Many inexperienced speakers look up at the ceiling when they have memorized a speech and can't remember a line.

There are cases when speakers only look to one side of the room, often in the direction of whoever introduced the public speaker, or in the direction of an important person in the audience. Instead, one should look slowly from side to side, to make eye contact with the whole audience.